On a mission: (From left) Boyle, Cummings, Tan, Greenan and Hoo seek to inspire broader conversations about sustainable urban mobility.
A TEAM of five engineering students from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland is leading an initiative to bring back passenger services to Edinburgh’s South Suburban Railway, a historic rail line that has been dormant for over six decades.
Among them are Malaysian students Tan Chang Xun and Hoo Yuen Fong, currently studying at the university’s Edinburgh campus under its Go Global inter-campus transfer programme.
They are joined by UK students Caitlin Cummings, Natalia Greenan and Corey Boyle, all of whom previously studied in Malaysia through the same programme.
The idea for the railway revival emerged as part of their final-year MEng Civil Engineering project, sparked by Edinburgh’s growing transport challenges.
“Edinburgh has long struggled with congestion and is ranked among the most congested cities in the UK.
“We saw the South Suburban Railway as a hidden asset with massive potential to improve connectivity, reduce congestion, and unlock opportunities for communities across the city,” Hoo told StarEdu.
Originally opened in 1884, the South Suburban Railway ceased passenger operations in 1962. Today, it is used only for freight and diversion routes.
Recognising the potential of the existing infrastructure, the students envisioned a sustainable transport solution by reintroducing passenger services.
“Our proposal focuses on creating a connected, sustainable network through tram-train integration, something we believe every city, regardless of context, can benefit from,” the Malaysian duo noted.
Drawing inspiration from Germany’s Karlsruhe tram-train system and Sheffield’s successful tram-train pilot project, they said operating on both existing heavy rail and street-level tram infrastructure reduces the need for new tracks while connecting people directly to urban centres.
“It provides the flexibility of a tram with the range of a train, making public transport more competitive than a private car,” the 23-year-olds added.
Connecting ideas
Although the project focuses on Edinburgh, the students’ experiences in Malaysia played a part in their ideation.
“Growing up with systems like the MRT and KTM Komuter gave us a strong appreciation for the value of integrated and accessible public transport.
“In particular, Malaysia’s success in revitalising old rail corridors for modern use, such as through the KTM Komuter service, highlighted the untapped potential that disused lines can offer.
”That perspective helped us recognise the opportunity within Edinburgh’s South Suburban Line,” they said.
Comparing transport networks in Malaysia and Scotland, the students noted key differences and challenges.
“Scotland has a more extensive rural rail coverage and better integration between modes while Malaysia has rapidly expanded high-capacity urban transit in major cities.
“However, both countries struggle with congestion and car dependency, reinforcing the importance of sustainable alternatives like tram-trains,” said the duo.
Making real-world impact
What started as an academic project quickly gained real-world momentum.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect this level of media attention, but I’m not surprised either.
“We’ve worked hard to build momentum through a public petition, attending local council meetings, and engaging with industry professionals and policymakers,” Hoo shared.
Their petition has gathered over 3,600 signatures as of currently, boosted by local media coverage.
The breakthrough came when the team was invited to present their proposal at the Scottish Parliament on March 7.
“Presenting at the Scottish Parliament showed us just how much interest and support there is for practical, sustainable solutions to Edinburgh’s transport challenges,” said Hoo.
“We weren’t just sharing an academic concept,” said Tan. “We were voicing the needs of communities, many of whom are underserved by the current transport network.”
The road ahead
Despite widespread support, challenges remain.
“One of the biggest challenges has been bridging the gap between public enthusiasm and institutional follow-through,” Tan shared.
Hoo emphasised that the critical next step is securing a formal feasibility study commissioned by Transport Scotland or the City of Edinburgh Council.
“During our presentation, we specifically urged members of the Scottish Parliament to fund a new feasibility study to take the proposal into the next stage of development,” he said.
Having also presented their work at the British Conference of Undergraduate Research 2025, held from April 9 to 10, the team hopes to continue inspiring broader conversations about sustainable urban mobility.
“Our goal is to move beyond the local context and present our tram-train project as part of a wider UK and global conversation about sustainable urban transport,” Tan said.
For aspiring students looking to make an impact, he offered one piece of advice: “Take that first step, even if it feels uncertain. Real impact starts when you move your work beyond the classroom.
”Don’t wait for permission to engage with industry, communities or policymakers – instead, reach out, ask questions and put your ideas out there.”
